The New Horizons Chorus rehearses one of their barbershop tunes on April 30 at the First United Methodist Church in New Hartford for the upcoming “Life’s a Happy Song” vocal harmony show. The annual show, also featuring the Upstate Harmonizers, Common Core, and The Clinton High School Chorus, is May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clinton Central School Theatre.
Photo Special to the Dispatch by Mike Jaquays

New Horizons Chorus director Rob Hopkins, left, and president Glen Bahr hold a couple of the barbershop group’s trophies at their practice hall at the First United Methodist Church in New Hartford on April 30. The group is the current champion of their Seneca Land District of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Photo Special to the Dispatch by Mike Jaquays

NEW HARTFORD >> Singing a cappella barbershop tunes with the New Horizons Chorus is great musical therapy, says longtime member Phil Marmelstein of Oneida.

“It always makes me smile, and it’s a nice way to get away from day-to-day things going on,” Marmelstein, who has been a part of the New Horizons male barbershop group for 41 years, explained.

“We really have a good time together, and I’ve learned a lot from this group,” agreed New Horizons president Glen Bahr of Rome, who has been a member for 10 years. “I love both the singing and the vocal coaching.”

That coaching comes from their leader, Dr. Rob Hopkins, who is a certified master director with a Ph.D in music history and theory. He has taught at Hamilton College since 1983, and has served as chorus director for 34 of the 36 years he has been in the Society.

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“It’s fun to be able to work with people who really like to sing together,” Hopkins said.

“He can hear grass grow,” complimented Loyal Canning of Wampsville. “With Rob directing us as he does we are getting better even if we may not know it.”

Canning has been a member of the New Horizons Chorus for 25 years, and said he enjoys the camaraderie between the men. They are always having fun -- often at each others’ expense -- and he likes being able to be a part of that tight-nit, mutually supportive and relaxed environment.

The enjoyment the men share singing together is obvious during their rehearsals. Hopkins runs them through the parts, and occasionally stops them for a good-natured critique of their vocalizing. Sometimes he has to point out an error and have the perpetrator correct the pitch … a correction that isn’t always recalled the next time around, Canning admitted.

That’s all part of the festive, low pressure atmosphere of a New Horizons Chorus rehearsal. And when it’s show time, their performances are professional yet at the same time also relaxed and fun. The men are there to enjoy sharing their pipes with their audience and themselves, and that jubilation is contagious with the audience members.

New Horizons is part of the Mohawk Valley chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, and is gearing up for their annual show May 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Clinton Central School Theatre. The “Life’s a Happy Song!” vocal harmony show will also feature the current three-time district international chorus representatives Upstate Harmonizers, plus 2013 district champion quartet Common Core and the Clinton High School Chorus.

“It’s a great auditorium and a nice performing venue for this,” Hopkins said, adding that the audience will also be invited to join the New Horizons group in their performance of “Home on the Range” and “Take me Out to the Ballgame” at the concert.

Tickets are $12 for general admission, $15 for reserved seats, and $5 for students, and available at the door or by calling 829-4199.

Hopkins is also the director of the Upstate Harmonizers group, a male barbershop ensemble that raises the bar a little higher in expertise than the more laid-back and casual New Horizons Chorus.

New Horizons is in the Seneca Land District, one of the 17 districts that make up the Barbershop Harmony Society. Formally known as the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, Inc., the Society started in Tulsa, Oklahoma back in 1938. Then, barbershop singing enthusiasts O.C. Cash and Rupert Hall met at the Hotel Muehlebach, soon finding a couple other singers to round out their quartet.

Now the Seneca Land District includes singers throughout upstate New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. It has 33 chapters and approximately 50 registered quartets performing locally within the district and even traveling around the world.

Men who like to sing who are high school aged or older -- or exceptional younger vocalists -- are invited to come out to visit a New Horizons Chorus rehearsal. They can sit and watch, or grab a guest book and join in the fun if they‘d like. New Horizons meets at the First United Methodist Church, located at 105 Genesee St. in New Hartford every Wednesday from 7:30-9:45 p.m.

“People can show up on a Wednesday night and see what we’re all about,” Marmelstein said. “We all have varying abilities. Some can sight read while other don’t, but we all work well together.”

Members also perform at private parties, or for singing Valentines. For more information, log on to: http://bhs-mv.org/

About the Author

Mike Jaquays, a nearly life-long resident of Sherrill, is a freelance writer at the Oneida Dispatch. Mike graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 1986 with a degree in mass communications and is now on a quest to spotlight the extraordinary stories of ordinary folks. He also spanks a mean bass with the Oneida-based classic rock band Coston. Reach him at mikejake1164@gmail.com or follow Mike on Twitter @mikejake1164 Reach the author at mikejake1164@gmail.com
or follow Mike on Twitter: @mikejake1164.